Liverpool player Philippe Coutinho has talent aplenty, but this season the 22-year-old has not shown it on a consistent basis.

The Brazilian's introduction against Queens Park Rangers earlier this season turned the game on its head, as he played his part at both ends of the pitch to ultimately inspire a 3-2 victory. But that match saw his only goal of the campaign and after 11 appearances Coutinho looks no nearer the player Reds fans hoped he would become.

Against Stoke City, the play-maker started but showed little, ultimately replaced by Dejan Lovren with two minutes to play, but his statistics paint a worrying picture for those Liverpool fans hoping to see the best of him.

On Saturday Coutinho's passing accuracy was just 67 per cent, which for a Liverpool player at Anfield is unacceptable. He also failed to play a single key pass and had just one effort on goal, which did not test the opposition goalkeeper.

He did go on five dribbles but to little effect and the simple fact is Coutinho is one of the players who is suffering the most in the midst of Liverpool's malaise.

Passing Accuracy

Goal Assists

Key Passes

Shots

Shots on Target

Dribbles

Forward Pass

Mins Played

Philippe Coutinho

67%

0

0

1

0

5

17

88

Coutinho has the talent to succeed at Anfield and dominate games week in, week out, but for now he is a sporadic catalyst who regularly struggles for form.

His time should come; but whether it will is something we will only discover in due course.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. He has worked for HITC for four years and is now Head of Editorial and Journalist Standards.